Someone who identifies as a woman, and is romantically and sexually interested in other women (that's the "
lesbian" part) AND who dresses, acts, or speaks in ways that many people in society consider "masculine" (that's the "butch" part). A butch
lesbian is likely to feel more comfortable with short hair than long, and likely shops in the
men's department a good chunk of the time. But, as with all identities, there are lots of exceptions.
Generally, butch lesbians do not want to BE
men (women who want to be
men are called transgendered or transsexual). Nor do butch women hate
men, as it is sometimes thought. Many butch lesbians believe that
men make terrific buddies (they just aren't interested in men as bed buddies).
There are many kinds of butch lesbians. A few stereotypical types include "motorcycle butch," "sporty butch," and "metrosexual butch." More on these later, perhaps.
Frank: That Rachel Maddow is one butch
lesbian!
Bonnie: Nah, she used to be, but she wears women's suits with pink shirts underneath now. She used to wear ties!
Frank: For
real?
Bonnie: Yeah, she was way hotter when she was more butch.